India to Start Implementing the Green Building Policy

The state government is all set to implement the Green Building Policy, mooted by the Public Works Department (PWD), with the intention of promoting eco-friendly techniques aimed at energy conservation.

The first building to be constructed under the Green Building Policy will come up at PMG Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, which will be the new head office of the PWD. The state government is also considering relaxation of taxes and other incentives for private builders to adopt the new policy.

PWD secretary T O Sooraj said that the design for the first ‘Green Government Office’ in the state is almost complete. The architectural design and concept of the policy will be implemented at the new office.

“In future, all new buildings constructed by the PWD will be made under the policy concept. The new PWD head office will be constructed at a cost of `33 crore,” Sooraj said.

There are also plans to install energy-saving equipment at the existing government offices, which will help save energy. The proposal for extending relaxation in construction of buildings and tax deduction for private buildings are also under government consideration.

According to the Green Policy, the state can announce annual awards for local bodies, including Corporations, municipalities and other urban bodies which are involved in undertaking green building activities. It was also proposed that the government take necessary steps to sign an MoU with Green Rating for Integrted Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Secretariat in the presence of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for large-scale promotion of green buildings in the state and to get all new and important buildings rated.

Green building expert B R Ajith, chairman, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) – Cochin Chapter, who was appointed as the expert member of Green Building Guidance Team said that the single largest builder in Kerala is the government and with the new initiative a massive change could be observed in Kerala. With the usage of sensor and other energy saving devices, around 20 to 25 per cent power could be saved.

When compared to the amount spent for power generation, the green building concept will reduce the expenditure of the government. In future, the consumption of power will be through alternative energy, he added.

The green concept will also have a comprehensive waste management system so that there is zero waste discharge. The waste management will be done through minimisation and reuse of water, recovery and recycling of waste and safe and final disposal of waste.

According to Ajith, awareness campaigns will be started in schools in October to educate the students on the need for cleanliness. The public will also be made aware of the cleanliness drive through various programmes.